Here's how I see it; first of all I really like Ryan, he's an ambitous kid, he has a great work ethic and can never be accused of not giving his all to the club. I wish him well in his future career and hope he looks back at his time with fondness and (some) good memories.

However, whilst he's been good for Leigh, Leigh have been even better for Ryan. When he came to us he was just a kid who couldn't get a game at Cas and most of the Cas fans probably didn't even know his name at that time. He came to us and found his level. He played alongside Ridy who was a fantastic partner for him, that made him half of the best pair of half backs in the league. We started to win games and as Ryan was our poster boy, he got most of the attention. He loved being the 'special one' and of course every time he made an appearance on TV or we pulled off a staggering win against all the odds his stock value went up and up. His agent, (for want of a better word), made sure his client stayed in the headlines by leaking confidential information at every opportunity.

There's no doubt in my mind that something less than savoury happened at the club to make Rowley leave and I think Ryan is now using this as an excuse to enforce the clause that should never have been there in the first place. I 100% believe Jukesy, I think the conversation regarding the 15K DID take place and I think that Ryan (probably egged on by his controller/agent) tried to take advantage of our club with regard to the injury crisis. It all leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth and I'm disappointed in him. If he's not careful, Ryan will turn into a journeyman who will go to any club as long as it pays more money than the last. And that's not good.

Thanks for the memories Ryan but close the door on your way out kiddo.

There might even be clubs out there that don't want to sign someone who leaks info to the press. It's traditional to see agents as shady characters but Ryans takes the biscuit (and the 20%). Let's face it Ryan can get a decent wedge as will his agent ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS NO TRANSFER FEE TO PAY. Ryan is in the past. He is now just a name in our history.

I think you're absolutely spot on there mish. Leigh owe Brierley nothing and I'm sure the stats will suggest that when Ridyard doesn't play, Leigh invariably lose, but when Brierley didn't play, Leigh invariably didn't score as many points, but still won.

I reckon his agent has heard what Chase is being paid and thought he could equal it or get closer and it's backfired - using the Rowley departure and the current injury crisis as you elude to, as the perfect opportunity to take advantage. I think Derek deserves better and should stay strong and get rid. His agent and parents (who I'm sure call the shots) could have made a really poor decision here for the player himself.

And as you've all witnessed over the last 12 months, Brierley's defence would need to drastically improve for Super League, so where will he end up?

Care to name names Budgie?

Brierley is obvious, but who are these others who don't want to play for us? Genuine question BTW.

Can we not do this. More speculation about other players is not something we need to be doing.

In light of Steve Ferres' statement it would seem that it's all the fault of Ryan's dodgy agent.

[iBRADFORD Bulls would like to clarify comments, which were made in the media regarding Ryan Brierley’s agent, Craig Harrison.

Steve Ferres, Bradford Bulls Managing Director, can confirm he spoke with Harrison. However, his comments published in the media regarding the position of his client have been misinterpreted.

Ferres is in contact with Harrison, who has several clients who play for the Bulls and has always acted in a professional manner when dealing with the club.

"When I spoke with Craig it was public knowledge Ryan wanted to leave Leigh Centurions, subject to a clause in his contract – Craig did not inform me of this," said Ferres.

"I simply asked him to inform me if Ryan became available."


You can just imagine how it went:

Harrison to Brierley "Bradford are after you, tell Leigh you'll go unless they give you an extra 15k."

All green had to say was no offer was made. He didn't have to explain how he meets with the agent regularly.

I agree totally with your post Ant .....

He had the whole of the North Stand & even the Library Stand in raptures with his breaks & tries from out
of nowhere, & who will ever forget that chip over & take v Wakefield Trinity Schoolgirls ? Even away at Odsal last week he tormented the Bulls.

It's true, he has played some sublime RL I am only too pleased to have witnessed & 95% of the time he has gone balls out for Leigh RL too.

Now, if when he is released by the Club he [isuddenly[/i becomes a Bulls player, then we will know it's all true, & if he gets a SL contract then SMTM has done a very good *if a little slimey* job for himself & his client.

Time to let the lad go, but for me, I thank him for the good times, not for the current grief.

The fact he wants to go to Bradford for this season only , suggests he has something Lined up for next season anyway.
I would guess rumours about Leeds for next year could have been true.

So that's 2017 on loan at the Bulls then

Oh dear, it is beginning to sound to me like Bradford could well be in a spot of bother there. Maybe the lawyers have already been in touch. Who knows. Oh well rules are rules.

Why would Bradford be in bother for saying let me know when he's available? Seems fair enough-also explAins the Bradford are interested comment. Let's be honest they haven't made it s secret they would be interested.
Ask yourself this. Brierley has 6 months ish left on his contract, then he can just leave anyway. He can talk to other clubs in a few weeks. Why is he putting himself through all this and apparently sooooooooooo desperate to get out?

Greed.

Other than Paul's reasons for leaving which we can only guess at I think you're spot on. Think Ryan put in his notice to quit expecting the club would give him what he wanted, when they didn't he played his usual trick (starting to think every rumour about him over the years came from Ryan himself) and went to the press. The club has called his bluff which is why he's backpeddleing & saying he didn't hand in his 4 week notice after all on GMR today (despite saying he did last week). He knows he's gone too far & made a massive mistake but the damage is done now. After calling the coach a liar & repeatedly leaking private info to the press to undermine the club it's time for him to go.